Sambalpuri Region

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Kosal (Western Orissa)
latd = 21.28 |longd= 84.39
state] _name= Orissa
district= Sambalpur Balangir Bargarh Sonepur Kalahandi Sundargarh Boudh Deogarh Nuapada
altitude=115
population_as_of = 2001 | population_total = 9001,406 | Language = Sambalpuri
Ratio of Male / Female = 1000 / 970area_total= 51027
area_telephone= 0663-
postal_code= 767xxx 768xxx
footnotes = |

The Sambalpuri region (also known as Koshal/Kosala) comprises the vast geographical and culturally homogeneous area of Western Orissa, India. "Kosala" is one of the several names by which Orissa was known in the ancient period, i.e. prior to the 5th century A.D. The region exhibits certain degree of cultural uniformity in terms of demography and life-style, and extends from Kalahandi district in the south to the Sundargarh district in the northwest, thereby including whole of the pre-1993 districts of Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Sundargarh and Balangir and some part of the then-undivided Koraput, Dhenkanal and Phulbani districts.

A separatist movement has emerged in this area and some people of this region are demanding a politically separate Koshal state from the State of Orissa. [cite web |url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/04/14/stories/2004041406001400.htm |title = "Demand For a Separate Koshal statehood"|publisher = The Hindu ] [cite web |url = http://www.cnfonline.org/2001/2001v9n82.htm |title = "Demand for Koshal state gaining Momentum"|publisher = cfnonline] . The movement has failed to gain any large scale popularity earlier, but the momentum changed dramatically with the formation of a regional political party called Koshal Kranti Dal, who will fight for a separate koshal state in a democratic way by participating in the general elections. [cite web |url = http://news.oneindia.in/2007/11/28/regional-party-kosal-kranti-floated-in-orissa-1196361747.html |title = "Kosal Kranti dal,political party demanding for separate kosal statehood"|publisher = OneIndia ]

Demographics

Nearly 40% of the population of the Sambalpuri region are autochthonous tribal or Adivasis. However, since the last five decades, a large number of Hindi speaking populace, belonging to communities like Gujaratis, Marwaris (Rajasthanis), Punjabis etc. have migrated into the region and adopted themselves well to the local culture. They boosted the economy of western Orissa, adopting Sambalpuri as their language of communication, thus making them a part of the koshali culture and heritage. The people in the region have tied and dyed colourful sarees (Sambalpuri Saree) for several hundred years.Fact|date=July 2008

Population

(Source: Census of India, 2001) [ [http://www.navratnanews.com Population of Western Orissa] ]

Geography

Geographically, this tract of land is mostly mountainous and hilly, interspersed with rivers and valleys. The floral diversity and topographical variety ensures the experience of all the six seasons in this area. In the last few decades, western Orissa is suffering from repeated drought. [ [http://www.worldproutassembly.org/archives/2006/05/traditional_wat.html Traditional Water Harvesting the Answer to Western Orissa's Perennial Drought Woes] ] . Koshal region is considered the poorest region in India. [cite web |url = http://kbkorissa.blogspot.com/2008/05/kbk-still-poorest.html |title = "KBK still the poorest"|publisher = The Indian Express ]

Sambalpuri language

The chief communicative language of the Koshal region is Sambalpuri. Not much research have been done on the accent and phonetics of the Sambalpuri language, and it is generally considered to be a dialect of Oriya [cite web |url = http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=ori |title = Ethnologue report for Oriya |publisher = SIL International ] ; however, some recent research done at Sambalpur University claimed Sambalpuri as a separate language.Fact|date=July 2008 Popular belief is also that sambalpuri is a distinct language from Oriya [ [http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/lsdeb/ls10/ses3/3108059204.htm India Parliament discussing about sambalpuri language] ] [ [http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Sambalpur_University-31358-1.html About the distinction of sambalpuri language] ] Sambalpuri is spoken in 10 district of Western Orissa.

Art and culture

The Koshal region is culturally influenced by several different cults and religions. Its history dates back to the Mahabharat and Buddhist period. Folk songs and dances of this area have been revived and recognised during the last quarter of a century. Beginning from "Dand" (Danda Yatra and Danda Nata), which is considered to be one of the oldest forms of variety entertainment in India, to the modern "Krushnaguru Bhajan", a type of folk lyrics and songs.

Dance

The children's verses are known as "Chhiollai", "Humobauli" and "Dauligit", the adolescent poems are "Sajani", "Chhata", "Daika", "Bhekani" : the eternal youth composes "Rasarkeli", "Jaiphul", "Maila Jada", "Bayamana", "Gunchikuta" and "Dalkhai", The work-man's poetry comprises "Karma" and "Jhumer" pertaining to Lord Vishwakarma and the "Karamashani" goddess. The professional entertainers perform Dand, Danggada, Mudgada, Ghumra, Sadhana, sabar – Sabaren, Disdigo, Nachina – Bajnia, Samparda and Sanchar. They are for all occasions, for all time with varieties of rhythm and rhyme.

Folk musical instruments

The folk musical instruments which are in vogue in the Koshal region are as follows : Dhulak, Pakhoj, Dugitabla, Mridanga, Mardal, Nalbaja, Dhapada, Timkidi, Nagara, Behela, Khanjani, Dhapli, Muhuri, Bansi, Singh-Kahali, Bir-Ka-hali, Ghulghula, Ghunguru, Kendera, Khadkhadi, Ektara, Ghumra, Gini, Kathi, Jhanj, Dhol, Madal, Nishan and Tasha.

Out of these the Dhol, Madal, Nishan and Tasha are the four oldest percussion instruments without any modification which have been used in combination or in to two in almost all types of folk songs. Dhol is the oldest instrument of this region, which is the easiest to make. Madal is the second percussion instrument which shows craftsmanship and research. Nishan is the miniature of Nagara which is supposed to be carried by the dancer over his shoulder or around his waist, while he dances.

Rangabati

"Rangabati" is a modern folk song written about 1975, which enjoyed international popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/05/27/stories/13270782.htm "And the singer sings his song "] , "The Hindu", May 27, 2001. ]

The Sambalpuri sari

The Sambalpuri sari is made from fabric woven on a hand-loom, and is popular throughout India.Fact|date=July 2008 Varieties of the Sambalpuri sari include Sonepuri, Pasapali, Bomkai, Barpali, Bapta saris which have substantial demand. Most of them have been named after the places of their origin, and are popularly known as "Pata". Paintings on Tussar saris depicting Mathura Vijay, Raslila and Ayodhya Vijay owe their origin to ‘Raghurajpur patta paintings’.

Fabric and Design

Sambalpuri fabrics have their original style of craft known as "Baandha". Traditionally, craftsmen created Baandhas with images of flora or fauna or with geometrical patterns. More recently, new types of Baandha depicting portrait, landscape and flower pods are being designed.Baandha fabric is created using a tie-dye technique. The yarns are tied according to the desired patterns to prevent absorption of dyes, and then dyed. The yarns or set of yarns so produced is called 'Baandha'. The unique feature of this form of designing is that the designs get reflected almost identically on both side of the fabric. This versatile technique enables a craftsman to weave colourful designs, patterns and images into a fabric capable of inspiring a thought or convey a message. Thus Baandha can be defined as " A length of systematically arranged yarn, dyed according to a preconceived design in such a manner so as to enable a weaver to portray the design when the yarn is converted to a fabric through the process of weaving". It is believed that this art migrated to Western Orissa along with the Bhulia community who fled Northern India in the year 1192AD after the fall of chouhan empire at the hands of the Mughals. Since then up to the year 1925 it flourished in Western Orissa in a limited number of designs and in vegetable colours and consisted mostly of saris used by the womenfolk of the Kosal region. These saris were known as 'Bhulia-Kapta'. The demand was limited, distress sale was common and the craftsmen lived in penury.

Development

Today the Baandha fabric is popularly known by its geographical and cultural name "Sambalpuri" owing to the pioneering efforts of Sri Radhashyam Meher, who brought about a radical improvement in the skills of the craftsmen and the quality of the products. Other master craftsmen who contributed to the development of Sambalpuri textiles were Padmashree Kunja bihari Meher, Padmashree Chatrubhuja Meher and Padmashree Krutharth Acharya. Sambalpur textiles today include furnishing materials, dress materials and sarees in silk, cotton and mercirised cotton in a variety of colours and many different designs. Baandha craftsmen are also masters of the 'extra warp' and 'extra weft' style of designing which can be seen in almost all forms of Baandha textiles. Radhashyam Meher also produced Khadi textiles using the Baandha art.

In 1926, Radhashyam designed the first handloom to weave textiles of ninety inches width. This achievement made him the 'Parda agent' of the Government of Bihar for the production of furnishing materials. Later, after the formation of the state of Orissa, he became the 'Parda agent' of the government of Orissa. His dexterity in the Baandha art and his ability to motivate the weaving community in the region to improve their skills by providing the necessary training and incentives enabled the creation of new designs that received international fame and recognition.

Radhashyam Meher established his proprietary concern named 'Utkal Parda Agency' at Sambalpur, for research, production and marketing of Sambalpuri textiles. Acknowledging Radhashyam Meher's unparalleled contribution to the growth and popularity of 'Baandha art', the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has sponsored textile exhibitions coinciding with his birth anniversary on November 20, which is organised by the Director of Textiles, Government of Orissa.

Radhashyam Meher also participated in India's struggle for freedom, playing an active role in the quit India movement of 1942. He was jailed for a year along with a fine of one hundred rupees for stalling the proceedings in the court of Sambalpur.He tried to remove untouchability and organised a Movement to allow Harijans to enter temples from 2-10- 1946 to 4-10 1946. Three thousand people participated in the event. He strove to maintain communal harmony that kept the region free from riots even during the hey days of the communal outrage in the country. He also played an active role in the cooperative movement and organised the Meher Art Fabrics cooperative society ltd and the Sambalpur Regional cooperative Marketing Society Ltd. (RCMS)He was a member of the All India Handloom Board in the year 1953. Till his death he was always elected as the member of the Sambalpur Municipality.

Industry

Roughly 16 km from the district headquarters of Sonepur, Sagarpali is a big village hosting around 500 bhulia (weaver) families. This is one of the largest weaving villages in western Orissa, a bastion of the Sambalpuri sari. Other areas affluent with handloom weavers are Barpali, Tarbha, Bijepur, and Bargarh.

Terracotta

Terracotta is also a traditional Sambalpuri art of making things using clay.

Traditional costumes of Sambalpuri women

Koshali tribal women wear a type of necklace known as "Khagla", a round ornament made from silver. In the upper part of the ear they use an ornament known as "Jhalka", in the earlobe they wear an ornament called "Gathia", and in the nose, an ornament known as "Jharaguna".

In their hair they wear "Panpatri", "Belkhadi", (a small stick used to clip flowerbuds onto hair). They wear two types of ornaments in their hands, known as "Katria" and "Bandria". (In the arms they used to wear one type of ornament known as Tadla). In the legs they wear "Painry" or "Tudal". Rings are also used on fingers and toes.

They also wear "Janyiphool" and "Karai Phool", two types of flower. The cloth which local women wear is known as "Kapta", that is same as Sambalpuri Saree but is shorter, less wide and thicker.

Large structures and monuments

* The Hirakud Dam
* Ordnance FactoryBadmal Balangir is the only Ordnance factory of Orissa.

Tourist places of Kosal region

Places of natural beauty are in abundance in Western Orissa(Kosal). The Patala Ganga spot at Nuapada District is also a place of attraction for tourists. Ushakothi, Hirakud and Budrama in Sambalpur district attract the attention of tourists. Similarly, the Khandadhar Waterfall in Sundargarh district is also a tourist spot. The Mahanadi and the Tel river in Suvarnapur district present beautiful natural scenes and the confluence of the two rivers present a memorable sight.

The following tourist spots are there in the kosal Region:

Bargarh

* Debrigarh - A peak in the Barapahar hills where Veer Surendra Sai the great Koshali freedom fighter was captured in 1864 by British solders and also has a wildlife sanctuary.
* Other Places of Tourism- Kedarnath Temple at Ambabhona, Baidyanath Temple at Deogaon, Balunkeswar Temple at Gaisama, Swapneswar Temple at Sorna, Visweswar Temple at Soranda, and Nilakantheswar Temple at Nilji

Balangir

* Patnagarh- The ancient capital of the kingdom of Patna is famous for the 12th Century Someswar Siva Temple and Patneswari Temple.
* Ranipur-Jharial- Famous for the Hypaethral Temple of sixty-four Yoginis and being a place of religious confluence of faiths like Saivism, Buddhism, Vaisnavism and Tantrism.
* Saintala Known for its Chandi temple and images depicting ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
* Turekela Attractive for viewing colorful wild life, like tigers, dear, bears, monkeys etc. andchirping birds perched on trees.
* Dharpagarh- Religious importance with a big tank called "Dashamati Sagar" guarded with the shrines of Chandi, Duarsuni, Samaleswari, Patneswari, Siva and Vishnu.
* Harishankar - Famous for 15th Centaury Vishnu and Bhairavi Temple stands on the Southern slope of the Gandhamardan hills complemented by uncommon scenic charms and a perennial stream.

Boudh

* Three remarkable Buddhist statues situated in Boudh town, shyamsundarpur village, and Pragalapur village; ninth century A.D.old Rameswar temple; Jogindra Villa Palace; Hanuman temple, Chandra Chuda & Matengeswar temple; Gandharadi temple, Padmatola Sanctuary, and Nayakpada Cave.

Deogarh

* Pradhanpat- Waterfall on the Pradhanpat hill and a place of scenic beauty.

Jharsuguda

* Gujapahar, Kuilighugar, Pikalghugar- Scenic Spot
* Vikramkhol-Pictographic Inscriptions

Kalahandi

* Other Tourist Places- Dharmagarh (Historical Site); Talguda (Fort); Mardiguda, Thuamul- Rampur, and Jakam (Scenic Spot); Kusurla and Sapagaranda (Religious Centre).

Nuapada

* Budhikomna and Patalaganga- Religious Centre
* Patora, Sindursil and Thipakhol- Scenic Spot
* Yogimatha- Cave Paintings

Sambalpur

* Huma- Famous for Leaning temple of Lord Siva ( Relatively more oldest and leaned than the leaning tower of Pissa).
* Ushakothi- Wild life sanctuary harbours elephants, tigers, gours, sambars, black panthers, deer, spotted deer, and wild bears etc.
* Kandhara- Birthplace of Poet Bhima Bhoi (the great propounder of Mahima Dharma), and apilgrimage-cum-sight seeing spot.
* Sambalpur town- Famous for several temples of Liakhai, Madanmohan, Satyabadi, Bariha, Brahampura, Dadhibamana, Timini, Gopalji, Budharaja Shiva Temple, Maneswar Shiva Temple, Gupteswar, Balunkeswar, Loknath, the Goddess Samaleswari, Pataneswari, Batmangala, Budhimaa, and Mahamayi etc. and Sambalpuri handlooms.
* Other Tourist Places- Gudguda (Scenic Spot), Chipilima (Ghanteswari Temple, natural fall, State livestock Breeding Farm and Agricultural Farm) and Hatibari.
*In naktideul block a famous temple named kunjamura is situated.It is situated near tikira jora

Sonepur

* Binika(Papakshya Ghat)-Religious Centre.
* Chandalipat Puja Dunguri- Religious Centre.
* Sonepur town- Known as the ‘Second Varanasi of India’ abode there several temples and gardens such as Suvarnameru (situated on the on the left bank of river Tel towards the southwest of the confluence of river Mahanadi and Tel), Gopinatha, Dadhivamana Deva, Sri Vrindavan Vihari, Gundicha, Sureswari, Stamv esvari or Khamvesvari, Bhagavati, Samalesvari, Budhi Samalei, Manikesvari, Narayani, Sitalei, Lankesvari, and Sasisena.
* Charada- Historical Site.
* Khaliapali- Mahima Shrine

Sundergarh

* Rourkela- Steel Plant and Hanuman Temple,
* Vedvyas, Ghogar- Religious Centre
* Khandadhar, Miriglotah- Waterfall
* Junagada- Fort
* Chhatri Hill, Darjeeng, Deodaraha, Mandira- Scenic Spot

References

External links

* [http://sambalpur.nic.in/ Govt. Website on Sambalpur]
* [http://www.mysambalpur.blogspot.com/ Sambalpur Photos and Wallpapers]
* [http://www.wodcorissa.org/ Western Orissa Development Council]
* [http://www.navratnanews.com/ Voice of Western Orissa ]